Author Archives: walkingward3

March 17, 2021 The Otago Central Rail Trail is a 150 kilometer (93 Miles) walking, cycling and horse riding trail that follows a railway line that was built at the turn of the twentieth century. After about ninety years of operation it closed 1990 and began its new life. We only biked a sixty kilometerContinue reading “Otago Central Rail Trail, New Zealand”

As we started on our two hour drive to Milford Sound from Te Anau it was pouring and we worried that it would be a miserable and soggy cruise on the fiord. As it turned out it was all for the best. The Sound has, apparently, only one “full time” waterfall. The rest only workContinue reading “Milford Sound, New Zealand”

March 12-14, 2021 On a bright and sunny day we boarded an Air New Zealand jet and flew from Auckland to Dunedin in the South Island. Along the way, we enjoyed some incredible views of New Zealand, including some spectacular views of the Southern Alps and New Zealand’s highest mountain, Mt. Cook (Aoraki in Maori).Continue reading “Dunedin, New Zealand”

March 8, 2021 We walked from our home to nearby downtown today. Along the way we passed what must be one of the largest fitness centers in the world. Les Mills was a New Zealand olympian, representing New Zealand in the shot put and discus throw. He was also mayor of Auckland for most ofContinue reading “Downtown, Auckland, New Zealand”

March 6, 2021 Mal’s sister and brother-in-law, Christine and Bill, live on a hilltop overlooking idyllic New Zealand farmland and beyond to Pakiri Beach. Pakiri is about an hour’s drive north of Auckland on the east coast. “Pa” is Maori for village or fortified settlement and Kiri refers to Te Kiri, a local Maori chief.Continue reading “Pakiri, New Zealand”

March 4, 2021 We are still Covid lockdown here in Auckland, so heeding government instructions we walked close to home, exploring our home neighborhood of Freeman’s Bay. It is a neighborhood with an interesting history. First, it has not actually been a bay since the late 1800s when a massive land reclamation project pushed itContinue reading “Freeman’s Bay, Auckland, New Zealand”

March 2, 2021 After dinner, we set out for a walk through Freeman’s Bay and and neighboring Grey Lynn. Adding a tropical feel to the evening were these waving palms. There are many charming small cottages in the area. This one is definitely the most colorful. And this one is one of the most quaint.Continue reading “Auckland, New Zealand”

February 28, 2021 We are currently in lockdown in Auckland due to a recent community Covid outbreak. However, we are allowed to walk in our neighborhood, so we decided to go for an after dinner walk in the nearby St. Mary’s Bay neighborhood, that slopes down toward the Westhaven Marina and the Auckland Harbour Bridge.Continue reading “Auckland, New Zealand”

February 27, 2021 On a perfect sunny day we headed to Tiritiri Matangi joined by our good friend Louise. Tiritiri Matangi (Maori for “tossed by the wind”) is a nature reserve about ninety minutes ferry ride from the center of Auckland. Until the Maori arrived about 700 years ago, the only mammals in New ZealandContinue reading “Tiritiri Matangi Island”

February 22, 2021 Waiheke Island is less than 40 minutes by ferry from the center of Auckland. It is the most populated and second-largest island in the Hauraki Gulf with a permanent population of just under 10,000 and an area of about 36 square miles. Meaning “trickling waters” in maori, it is also a popularContinue reading “Waiheke Island, New Zealand”